ALPINE, Texas — On Sunday afternoon, multiple fire departments helped put out a large structure fire in the downtown Alpine area, according to a Facebook post from the Alpine Fire Department. Four firefighters had minor injuries due to the fire and were treated on scene.
AFD got the call about the fire at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday in the 100 block of West Holland Ave.
When AFD arrived, firefighters tried to gain access to the roof of the building where the large flame was seen. At that time, conditions with the fire got worse and the building collapsed.
According to AFD, all civilians and fire personnel were out of the structure at the time of the collapse.
Multiple fire departments helped AFD put out the fire.
The Alpine Police Department posted on their Facebook page that they are "sending appreciation to everyone who donated food and drinks to our first responders." Further adding, "we are saddened by the loss of this historic building."
Below is a part of AFD's Facebook post on the status of the fire and the effect it has on the downtown area:
"Due to building composition and fuel load, smoke will be seen in downtown Alpine and carried by the wind. This will happen as the rubble begins to cool from superheated temperatures. Fire crews and law enforcement are actively monitoring the scene. Please stay back from the structure and adhere to all signage and barricades.
Alpine Fire Department responded with 14 firefighters. Units: Command 1, Command 2, Brush 2, Attack 1, Rescue 1, Engine 1, Engine 3 and Tanker 1 responded.
Alpine Fire wants to thank the men and women of Marfa VFD, Fort Davis VFD/EMS, Marathon VFD, Terlingua Fire/EMS, Marfa City/County EMS,
Texas Forest Service, Emergent EMS, Brewster Co Office of Emergency Management, Brewster Co. Sheriffs Office, Alpine Police, TxDPS, TxDOT, and the numerous other municipalities and agencies who responded to assist.
We would also like to thank City of Alpine Water Dept. for ensuring our hydrant was well fed to supply the large amount of trucks at this incident.
This building is a loss to not only the business and property owners, but the entirety of Alpine. We are thankful all occupants are safe. Alpine came together to support not only emergency responders but the businesses and families as well. Alpine stands unified, we pull each other up, and always will.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and more information will be available as it becomes available." - Alpine Fire Department Facebook page